Finnair to add more flatbeds

The upgrade will commence in January 2014 and is expected to be completed by autumn 2014, by which time all of Finnair’s wide-body Airbus fleet will have offer 180-degree lie-flat seats in business class.

Four of the airline’s new A330s have already been equipped with the new seats, and just three older A340 aircraft will not be revamped, as they are due to be replaced by Finnair’s brand new A350 XWBs from 2015. The total project will cost approximately EUR29 million (US$39m).

“The full flat experience has been very well received by customers in business class,” said Anssi Komulainen, Finnair’s senior vice president of customer service. “We believe that the key to Finnair’s success in a very competitive market is to differentiate on service, and this substantial investment in the comfort of passengers helps us in this long-term aim. Full flat seats are the new standard for quality-conscious customers, and for Finnair.”

The flatbeds being rolled-out by Finnair are the UK Vantage model by Zodiac Seats, which stretch two-metres-long and 58cm wide. The seats also come with individual reading lights, adjustable head rests and in-flight entertainment options.

Finnair currently operates 15 long-haul Airbus A330 and A340 aircraft, and will take delivery of 11 A350s from the second half of 2015.